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Physical Science; Thermal Energy Quiz

Modified True/False; 1 pt each.
Indicate whether the statement is true or false. If false, change the identified word or phrase to make the statement true.
 

 1. 

Compared to water, most metals have low specific heats. _______________

 

 2. 

When you hold a ball above ground it has kinetic energy. _______________

 

 3. 

When a substance is cooled it usually expands. _______________

 

Multiple Choice; 1 pt each.
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 

When temperature increases, average _____ increases.
a.
potential energy
c.
gravitational potential energy
b.
kinetic energy
d.
total energy
 

 2. 

The mechanical energy of a football during a pass is _____.
a.
potential energy
c.
gravitational potential energy
b.
kinetic energy
d.
potential and kinetic energy
 

 3. 

In years past, people would put a hot water bottle in bed with them to help warm their feet. The transfer of the warmth from the water bottle to their feet is called _____.
a.
heat
c.
thermal energy
b.
temperature
d.
kinetic energy
 

 4. 

When water is heated on a stove, which kind of energy is transferred?
a.
gravitational energy
c.
potential energy
b.
kinetic energy
d.
thermal energy
 

 5. 

Every material has its own specific heat. It is easy to change the temperature of a material with _____.
a.
high specific heat
c.
conduction
b.
low specific heat
d.
insulation
 

 6. 

The ocean is cold even in summer because water has _____
a.
high specific heat
c.
conduction
b.
low specific heat
d.
insulation
 

 7. 

When a substance is heated, the particles gain energy and spread out creating more volume. What happens to the mass of the substance when it is heated?
a.
mass increases
c.
mass remains the same
b.
mass decreases
d.
mass is lost
 

 8. 

A hot iron is turned off and cools down to room temperature. The iron cools because _____.
a.
the iron does not hold heat very well
b.
the room transfers cold energy to the iron
c.
heat energy is transferred from the warm iron to the cooler room
d.
the thermal energy is destroyed during an interaction with the room
 

 9. 

To check if a stovetop is hot, you place your hand near the top of the stove and feel that it is warm without touching it. You can feel the heat from the stovetop because of _____.
a.
conduction
c.
convection
b.
radiation
d.
kinetic energy
 

 10. 

You reach a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. Your hand gets cold because of which of the following?
a.
conduction
c.
convection
b.
radiation
d.
kinetic energy
 

 11. 

Thermostats transform _____ into _____.
a.
potential energy, kinetic energy
c.
kinetic energy, potential energy
b.
mechanical energy, thermal energy
d.
thermal energy, mechanical energy
 

 12. 

Which of the following is NOT an example of a heating appliance?
a.
steam engine
c.
coffeemaker
b.
curling iron
d.
clothes iron
 

 13. 

A bimetallic coil is used in a thermostat because _____.
a.
the two metals heat and cool at different rates
b.
it is cheap
c.
a single metal would be too small
d.
the two metals have different roles in the operation of the machine
 

 14. 

Which part of a refrigerator causes the coolant to change from a liquid to a gas?
a.
compressor
c.
coolant vapor
b.
condenser coils
d.
expansion valve
 

 15. 

Which part of a refrigerator removes thermal energy from inside the refrigerator?
a.
compressor
c.
coolant vapor
b.
condenser coils
d.
expansion valve
 

 16. 

Which part of the internal combustion engine transforms thermal energy into mechanical energy?
a.
cylinder
c.
piston
b.
exhaust valve
d.
spark plug
 

 17. 

Temperature is a measure of ____ of the particles in an object.
a.
the difference between the potential and kinetic energy
b.
the sum of the potential and kinetic energy
c.
the average potential energy
d.
the average kinetic energy
 

 18. 

The lowest possible temperature is ____.
a.
c.
0°K
b.
–273°F
d.
–273°K
 

 19. 

A liquid thermometer works because liquid ____ when warmed.
a.
expands
c.
solidifies
b.
contracts
d.
condenses
 

 20. 

Heat is thermal energy transferred from one object to another because of a difference in ____.
a.
mass
c.
volume
b.
temperature
d.
potential energy
 

 21. 

When a pot of water is put on a stove, the water at the top gets hot primarily by ____.
a.
radiation
c.
convection
b.
conduction
d.
condensation
 

 22. 

All objects emit ____ radiation.
a.
electromagnetic
c.
thermal
b.
kinetic
d.
solar
 

 23. 

Heat is ____ energy that is transferred from one object at a certain temperature to another at a different temperature.
a.
kinetic
c.
solar
b.
thermal
d.
electromagnetic
 

 24. 

Most materials ____ when they are heated.
a.
condense
c.
expand
b.
freeze
d.
contract
 

Completion; 1 pt. each.
Complete each statement.
 

 1. 

A material with low specific heat is a _______________. A material with high specific heat is a _______________.
 

 

 2. 

Hot-air balloons typically fly in the early morning and late evening. This is because _______________.
 

 

 3. 

Refrigerators work by transferring _______________ out of the refrigerator and into the coolant.
 

 

 4. 

Heat always moves from ____________________ objects to ____________________ objects.
 

 

 5. 

In the winter, rooms are often hotter near the ceiling than on the floor because hot air is ______________________________ than cold air.
 

 

 6. 

A good ____________________ transfers heat easily.
 

 

 7. 

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C is its ______________________________.
 

 

Short Answer; 2 pts extra credit each.  Write in complete sentences for full credit.
 

 1. 

Explain how heat is transferred between a hot and a cold object by conduction.
 

 2. 

Why would wearing several layers of clothing keep you warmer than wearing one heavy coat?
 

 3. 

Explain why most substances expand when heated.
 

Essay; 4 pts extra credit.  Write in complete sentences for full credit.
 

 1. 

Identify three scales that are used to measure temperature. Then, compare and contrast temperature and thermal energy by identifying one way they are similar and one way they are different. Explain why a thermometer does not measure thermal energy.
 



 
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